Carrick injury may delay Van Gaal captain decision

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal may delay his decision on who will be his permanent captain because of Michael Carrick's long-term injury, according to the Daily Mail.

Van Gaal announced at his media unveiling on Thursday at Old Trafford that he was in no rush to name his captain, saying he could wait as long as two months to do so.

The Daily Mail reports that Van Gaal will delay the announcement until Carrick returns from injury as the midfielder will be sidelined for up to three months following ankle surgery.

Following the exit of previous club captain Nemanja Vidic to Inter Milan, Carrick is on Van Gaal's shortlist to wear the leader's armband. Carrick has been at United since 2006 and the 32-year-old has made 359 appearances for the club.

Robin van Persie, who was named as the Netherlands' captain when Van Gaal was in charge of the Dutch national side, is the favourite to be made United's permanent captain.

Wayne Rooney is also another candidate, but while the Daily Mail reports that Rooney would like the role and that Van Gaal "has reservations" over Van Persie, the manager may give the armband to Van Persie until Carrick returns.